Effect of Mare Age on Transcript Abundance of Connexins-37 and -43, Zona Pellucida Proteins, and Sperm Binding.

Zona pellucida (ZP) proteins are important for fertilization and sperm binding and are closely associated with cumulus cells. Communication between cumulus and oocytes is facilitated by intracellular membrane channels composed of connexins. The extent aging impacts potential differences in fertilization and reductions in fertility is not well understood.